Typhoon Haiyan is the most powerful storm ever to reach land. It battered the Philippines with winds of more than 200 miles, killing thousands, and leaving many more, homeless, hungry and afraid. Relief efforts were launched from around the world, as were scams laced with emotional appeals that their “charity” was the one to give.
Criminals often set up web sites using legitimate charities’ names in an attempt to steal money or personal information from donors, according to the Charity Navigator. This organization reports on the ways many charities perform, how much of their fund-raising goes to the good work, and even points out low-performing charities with highly paid executives.
Charity Navigator lists 22 organizations that are putting donations where they are needed to help people of the Philippines. Charity Watch and Guidestar are similar sources of information.
Not every relief group allows donor to designate exactly where their contributions go. Some put all dollars into a general fund, and some set aside leftover donations for relief work in future disasters. If you want to donate only for typhoon relief, make sure the charity you select allows you to make that stipulation.
The outright scammers will be long on promises and vague on details. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Better Business Bureau are warning consumers to beware of scams. Here are tips for giving in times of crisis.
1. Give to an established charity. The FTC warns against giving to charities that have sprung up recently. Look for charities with a track record of dealing with this sort of disaster or working in the Philippines. You can find a list of charities from the sites listed above
2. Do not click on links to charities in texts or emails because they may take you to fraudulent sites or download malware onto your computer. Although legitimate charities can receive donations by text message, they usually do not send out unsolicited requests by text message or email, according to Scambook, a complaint resolution site.
3. Do not give cash. The FTC recommends that you pay by check (made out to the charity, not the person raising the funds) or by credit card for security and tax-record purposes.
4. Ask for a receipt showing the amount of your donation and stating that it is
tax-deductible.
5. Avoid telemarketers. Be wary of fundraisers who pressure to make a contribution over the phone. Never divulge your credit card information to someone soliciting you via the phone. Instead, ask the fundraiser to send you written information about the charity they represent and do some research on your own. Once you feel comfortable with the charity, send the organization a check or give though their website.
These are just some things to be aware of since sadly, there are many who criminally profit from the generosity of the public. Consider the nature of the charity’s work. Some provide medical assistance, some shelter, some food and water. Others will be more focused on either short-term rescue/relief efforts or long-term rebuilding efforts.
Do not expect immediate results, but do keep tabs on what your donation accomplishes. It takes time for charities to mobilize, to assess the problems that need to be addressed and to develop effective solutions.
Donors need to be patient so charities will not feel pressured to offer ineffective aid, simply to placate impatient donors. That does not mean donors should not hold the charities accountable for delivering on their promises! Follow up with the charity in a few months to find out how your donation was put to use and if additional support is needed.
Any questions or inquiries, feel free to send them to my email at [email protected]